Family Narrowly Escapes Fiery Car Blaze on Assam Highway
In a harrowing incident on Sunday night, a family of four experienced a miraculous escape when their car suddenly burst into flames on National Highway-37 in the Doomdooma Raidang area of Tinsukia district, Assam. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the fire, but remarkably, no injuries were reported, thanks to the driver's quick thinking and swift actions.
Details of the Terrifying Ordeal
Rajani Sonowal, 54, a resident of Dhola in Tinsukia, was traveling with his wife, son, and daughter to Duliajan around 7:40 PM when the terrifying event unfolded. According to Sonowal, the car had struck a stray cattle on the highway approximately 10 minutes before the fire erupted. This collision is believed to have caused a mechanical failure that ultimately led to the blaze.
"After the car hit the animal, I thought it was nothing serious and continued driving," Sonowal recounted. "But after about 10 minutes, I noticed smoke billowing from under the hood, which quickly engulfed the entire car. I stopped immediately and shouted for everyone to get out. Within moments, the vehicle was in flames."
Narrow Escape and Emergency Response
The family managed to leap out of the car just seconds before it was completely consumed by the intense fire. Local residents and passers-by rushed to the scene, providing immediate assistance and alerting the fire brigade. Fire tenders from the Doomdooma station arrived promptly and worked diligently to douse the flames. However, by the time the fire was extinguished, the car had been reduced to a charred shell.
A member of the firefighting crew emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The family had a truly narrow escape. If they had waited even sixty seconds longer to investigate the smoke, this would have been a very different story."
Impact and Aftermath
The incident caused a temporary disruption to traffic on the busy highway as recovery teams worked to clear the burnt remains of the vehicle. Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the mechanical failure and reminding drivers to exercise caution, especially in areas prone to stray animal crossings.
This event highlights the ongoing challenges of road safety in Assam, where stray cattle on highways pose significant risks. The family's quick reflexes and the timely response from locals and emergency services prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
